Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels is an extremely valuable resource filled with informative and engaging articles dealing with virtually every aspect of the art and industry of comic books and graphic novels. Here the reader will find information on individual characters, titles, creators, genres, and publishers. This resource, of course, includes histories of well-known superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Spiderman, but also delves into the lesser-known worlds of underground comics and contemporary “alternative” comics such as Ghost World and Blankets. Entries discussing the lives and works of comic book creators range from notable superhero artists such as George Pérez and John Byrne to pioneers of the underground scene such as Robert Crumb and luminaries of modern literary comics such as Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes. This encyclopedia covers comics and graphic novels from the golden age (which began with the debut of Superman in 1938) to the present day. Though the emphasis is on American comics, European comics and Manga are also discussed.

This reviewer was impressed by not only the broad scope of this encyclopedia, but also by the thorough and insightful nature of the entries. In entries dealing with individual books, the authors go beyond plot summaries to offer concise critical analysis and reflections on the book’s influence. Entries are arranged alphabetically. An index and a section of selected general resources are included. A selected bibliography is included for some entries.

The Superhero Book, edited by Gina Misiroglu (Visible Ink, 2004) offers comparable information on superhero characters, but is much narrower in scope than Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels, which does not limit itself to the superhero genre. Libraries seeking resources devoted more to detailed discussions of creators and their works may also wish to purchase Graphic Novelists, by Tom Pendergrast and Sara Pendergrast (Thomson Gale, 2007).

Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels is a welcome addition to the growing body of comics scholarship. It is recommended for both academic and public libraries.